Honey Authenticity Surveillance 

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) collects samples of honey from across Canada through two types of sampling: risk-based sampling by CFIA inspectors and contracted retail survey sampling. These samples are tested for the addition of C3 and C4 sugars using two techniques. Sugar syrups from C3 sugars (e.g. rice, beet) or C4 sugars (e.g. corn, sugarcane) are adulterants in honey. Samples are tested by the CFIA for the addition of C4 sugars using Stable Isotope Ratio Analysis (SIRA), and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), carried out by a contracted laboratory to detect these and other added foreign sugars, including C3 types. 

Samples are assessed as unsatisfactory if either SIRA or NMR testing shows the presence of added sugars in the honey. SIRA and NMR testing are complementary as each have advantages and limitations; as such, differences in the results between these two methods are expected.

The SIRA testing assessment is based on an internationally recognized Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) method and has a threshold limit for detection of adulteration of 7% calculated C4 sugars. The NMR testing assessment is based on the comparison of the sample to the profile of authentic honey, developed from the analysis of over 18,000 authentic honey samples and sugar syrups used for adulteration. SIRA testing reports the C4 sugar content of honey as a percentage, while NMR only reports whether addition of foreign sugars has occurred.

It is important to note that sampling by CFIA inspectors is conducted based on risk factors for non-compliance, at various levels of trade and on various types of products (such as bulk, retail-packed, ingredients for further processing). As such, the results of the CFIA Inspectorate sampling are not necessarily representative of the Canadian marketplace overall.  The contracted retail sampling is conducted exclusively at retail in several Canadian cities, on retail-packaged products for the consumer. 

Assessment results for samples are reported in the various datasets below:

S = Satisfactory / Satisfaisant
U-I = Unsatisfactory / insatisfaisant
ND-AD = No Decision / Aucune décision

The CFIA takes appropriate follow up action on unsatisfactory samples. See additional information for details on compliance and enforcement activities.